The rumors became increasingly outrageous, with some even claiming that Consort Tong was on the verge of dying in Chengqian Palace.
That's why he didn't have the chance to come out and show off his power, act arrogantly and domineeringly in front of them.
The three thousand beauties in Emperor Kangxi's harem had long suffered under the torment of Consort Tong.
Everyone wished she would die soon.
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, did not hear any of the unrealistic rumors circulating in the harem while he was in the Imperial Study.
He's extremely busy every day now. After finishing his lessons in the Imperial Study, he has to go back to Chengqian Palace to cultivate his relationship with his younger brother and, incidentally, play the role of a good son and a good older brother in front of Consort Tong.
He really wanted to be a good older brother. When he saw that tiny little bundle of joy, his cries were so soft and weak, much weaker than Duofu's wailing and howling.
This made the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, pay more attention to his younger brother.
This has made Duofu a little jealous of this crybaby prince lately.
Consort Tong was very pleased with the Fourth Prince Yinzhen's initiative to get close to her.
The relationship between them should truly have some of the warmth of a loving mother and filial son.
---
Emperor Kangxi bestowed titles upon his harem members for the second time.
The main purpose was to bestow titles and rewards upon the concubines who supported him during the Revolt of the Three Feudatories.
During this grand ceremony of bestowing titles upon the imperial harem, Emperor Kangxi conferred titles upon four concubines: Consort Hui (nara clan), Consort Yi (Guoluo clan), Consort De (Uya clan), and Consort Rong (Maga clan).
The families of these four concubines all made significant contributions to Emperor Kangxi during the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories, or they were favored by Emperor Kangxi for bearing him children in his early years, which led to their being granted the title of concubine.
The family provided them with conveniences, and after they were made concubines, they also brought great glory and benefits to the family.
In addition to bestowing titles upon his concubines, Emperor Kangxi also bestowed honors upon his other concubines.
He bestowed titles upon Consort Xiao Niohuru, Consort Xi of Hesheli, Consort Duan of Dong'e, Consort An of Li, Consort Jing of Wangjia, and so on.
The families of these concubines also received varying degrees of rewards and honors as a result.
Consort Tong heard the imperial edict bestowing titles upon the entire harem, but she never received the edict bestowing upon her the title of Empress.
Consort Tong sat on the soft couch in Chengqian Palace with an incredulous expression.
Her cousin, the emperor, only gave her a title; she was still just an Imperial Noble Consort.
Consort Tong had just been excitedly going to receive the imperial edict from her cousin, the Emperor.
She sensed something was wrong halfway through; those praises were no different from her being promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. In the end, she only heard the word "go".
He Chun.
Consort Tong's mind was filled with that familiar imperial edict.
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
I, Your Majesty, have always valued the virtues of the Five Virtues and the exemplary conduct of the Consorts. Following the example of the virtuous consorts of the past, and guided by the ancient traditions, I hereby elevate you to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort. You, of noble birth, are a woman of distinguished lineage, a supporter of the inner palace. You are gentle and kind, virtuous and upright. You have diligently observed the laws of history, upholding them day and night. Your exemplary conduct is exemplified in your ceremonial robes and your speech and demeanor are measured. Now, by the benevolent decree of the Empress Dowager, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Imperial Noble Consort. You are gentle and virtuous, prudent and discreet. Your every action is harmonious and refined, your manners dignified and graceful. You are deserving of further favor and praise. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you the title of He Chun. May your virtues illuminate the inner palace, bringing blessings to future generations. May you further cultivate your wifely virtues and ensure the longevity of your descendants. Respectfully yours!
She had been looking at this imperial edict from time to time ever since she was made an Imperial Noble Consort, and she could already recite it by heart.
How could her imperial cousin treat her like this?
Empress Niohuru has been dead for several years, and her younger sister has been promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine.
Why can't her cousin be the empress?
Consort Tong sat motionless on the cushion, looking utterly lost.
Those beautiful, bright eyes had lost their former luster, and one crystal tear after another fell down.
She always believed that she was ineligible for the position of empress because she had not given birth to any children for her cousin, the emperor.
Otherwise, when the emperor was choosing an empress last time, his cousin would never have chosen Niohuru, that wretched woman.
Why isn't my cousin the emperor choosing her this time? She's the most suitable person.
Consort Tong buried her face in a warm pillow and burst into tears.
The wet nurse had just brought in the tonic when she saw her mistress crying heartbrokenly on her pillow.
She had advised them long ago that once they entered the palace, those little girls should put away their romantic notions.
His Majesty is a wise and sagacious emperor; he could not possibly do what only a foolish and incompetent ruler would do.
Moreover, His Majesty was raised by the Empress Dowager, who hated favored concubines the most in her life.
It's impossible for the Emperor to have any favored concubines in his harem, otherwise they would have been taken away by the Empress Dowager long ago.
Fortunately, the Empress was only a bit domineering. Although the Emperor's favor towards her was a little more, it wasn't by much.
With so many concubines in the harem, there were all sorts of beauties, and besides, the Emperor wasn't the kind of person who only loved beauties and not the country.
Consort Tong always wanted an emperor cousin who would love her wholeheartedly.
How could that be?
The wet nurse gently placed the tonic on the small tea table, then reached out and gently wiped away the tear stains on Consort Tong's face.
"Your Majesty, you already know in your heart that His Majesty will never allow a member of the Tongjia clan to become an empress."
"Why bother begging when you clearly don't understand?"
The wet nurse was also very distressed. She had been so busy lately that she had lost weight and her voice was no longer as gentle and innocent as it was when she coaxed the children.
“You are now a mother, and you have a little prince. Even if you don’t become empress, you will still be the most important person in the harem.”
Consort Tong threw herself into the wet nurse's arms and cried, her voice full of grievance.
"I am not reconciled, I am not reconciled."
"Does my imperial cousin only posthumously confer the title of Empress upon my death?"
The wet nurse quickly spat it out.
"Your Majesty, what nonsense are you talking about? No matter how important the Empress is, it is not as important as Your Majesty's life."
"Thinking about the little prince makes the Empress happier."
When Consort Tong thought of her chubby little fifteenth son, she did feel a little better.
Her big eyes were filled with her mother, and she smiled sweetly at her.
"Yes, I have a son, I have a son."
Every time Consort Tong was about to completely lose hope in Emperor Kangxi, a touch of warmth would suddenly appear, drawing her back in without her even realizing it.
She always believed that her cousin, the emperor, had feelings for her and loved her.
It's just that her cousin, the emperor, loved her too much, sharing some here and some there, leaving her with very little to begin with.
Sometimes, the emperor would stingily take back the portion that was given to her.
Consort Tong decided to transfer all her love to her youngest son.
Having spent more than a decade in the imperial harem, Consort Tong felt utterly exhausted.
The emperor could not treat her the same way he treated Empress Xiaochengren, Hesheli.
She, a living person, could never compete with the one who died young, especially since the one who died in childbirth.
Consort Tong gave a bitter smile. She should have understood long ago the Emperor's cousin's attitude towards Crown Prince Yinreng.
He raised her personally from a young age, giving her whatever she wanted, and even she had to back down.
What right does she have to fight for it?
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